Blog: Journeys of a Dancing Anthropologist

A sometimes very sporadically updated blog where I discuss things that interest me. Mainly anthropology of the everyday, craft projects, makeup tutorials and every once in awhile a frustrated rant. More designed for fellow artists but clients may find it interesting to see the"inner workings" as it were of my daily life.

So
I have been very silent on my blog as of late due partially to some
very good, and very bad events in my life. This combined with the ever
present responsibilities of school, dance, personal relationships has
made me unable to dedicate the time to write anything here, or think of a
topic.

Today,
however an old topic I meant to write about a long time ago has
resurfaced in my mind and that is on dancers and the issues with fame,
success and the pursuit of all sorts of happiness and art. Bellydance is
not my first dance form and is definitely not my last, and never have I
seen such blind grasps at concepts of fame then I have seen in this
dance. What is also bizarre to me is how fame is defined. Now I know
what I’m going to say isn’t the popular consensus and I really do mean
no disrespect, but being famous amongst your niche aka bellydancers, is
not actually being famous. You know who’s famous? Dina, Didem, Dina
Jamal, people that the chefs at my restaurants have a knowing smile on
their face when I say their names. You know who isn’t famous? Last
year’s winner of Super Ultimate Bellydancer of the Cosmos and Known
World Champion.

Tein the ultimate guru of art with a capital "A"

Not that I’m saying someone isn’t necessarily talented
that wins a competition nor am I saying because you are famous you are
necessarily talented. All I am saying is being well known in your niche
doesn’t mean you’re famous and furthermore, why do you care about being
famous in the first place? If you are, as I venture to say every single
bellydancer I have ever spoken to in life, trying to be authentic and
artistic dancer and pursue a career preserving the beauty of this dance
you love, why are you so obsessed with being famous? (and despite being
snarky please realize I mean no disrespect especially to my friends who
win competitions or are in the process of trying to win, it is just my
opinion on the establishment not your own personal dance or goals)

This
brings me to another topic, art. Dance is art, it is also work. Not
every dance you perform will be art, especially if this is your
livelihood, some will be just entertainment that brings a paycheck. But
deep down inside, your dance is always your art, even when you’re sick
as a dog dancing between tables in a busy restaurant. Art, and what is
art is perhaps the most cliche topic there is but I will tell you one
thing. Art which is only seen by other artists in their niche is not
effective. The pursuit of art is to reveal your perspective to others
the whole reason for art is everywhere movements, like Art in Public
Places, FlashMobs, etc is to bring art to the masses so they too can
have the opportunity to be effected by art. This is not a new concept,
Shakespeare did it too, writing for both the elite and the groundlings
so everyone could enjoy the play. Not only did this ensure ticket sale
and make him famous, it also allowed his stories to be heard by
literally tons of people, and continue to be heard and revamped for
modern day. Art not seen is arguably not art because it has no
opportunity to move people. Art is everywhere, give your audience some
credit and take a chance to move them, even in a restaurant. A
restaurant show is only a restaurant show if you allow it to be.

Along
with the endless pursuit of fame comes the constant downplaying of
anything that doesn’t fit into one dancer’s view of dance. If a certain
dancer or subdiscipline of bellydance doesn’t approve of some move or
song or whatever then it isn’t “bellydance” or “authentic”. I always
find this particularly amusing since 99.999% of bellydancers are in no
position culturally, geographically, historically, linguistically or
training wise to state what is real or authentic or bellydance, if you
really want to get technical. They also fail to see the so called
inauthentic behaviours in their own style. Complaining about ballet
lifts and styling or modern props has no place if you are dancing the
new South American Egyptian aka Tango fused bellydance or if you have
ever used a veil, sword, or isis wings just to name a few. Again, there
is nothing wrong with this and I have no problem whatsoever with a dance
evolving. In fact, I openly embrace evolution. Dance evolves, culture
evolves, period. It has to happen to remain relevant, the moment
something stops evolving is the moment it starts to die both
figuratively and literally. A lack of evolution means a lack of
relevance and a lack of caring within the society the dance resides. But
just because a certain evolution of a dance does not work for you
doesn’t mean it isn’t real or authentic or it can not be performed for
so called authentic audiences. So many times I have been chastised for
use of fire or modern props by dancers and have been told I am
unmarketable for an old school crowd but guess what? Fire is fire, new
is new, and humans are humans and humans relationship to fire and
novelty is ancient and the attraction undeniable. Modern props, when
used with respect to the dance and culture are fun and effective for all
audiences. And even the most old school, 90 year old Egyptian is going
to be entertained by fire or isis wings or swords especially when
combined with culturally sensitive dance and music. If you as a dancer
are not attracted to this, guess what, you don’t have to dance like
that. And I am 100% positive you can still entertain the most old
school, 90 year old Egyptian just as well as I can. It isn’t a contest,
there can be more than one, please relax.

So
where am I going with this sorta rant? It’s this, respect yourself,
respect your fellow dancer, respect art and respect the culture of dance
and its evolution and respect your audience. Take time to reflect in
yourself on why you have set the goals you have set to find your
motives. Look at the larger picture of the world and find your place in
it. It’s not a big place but it’s yours so be mindful how you decorate
it.